What is wrong with mainstream music? What is the big deal?

Question

i listen to everything indie, mainstream, hip hop, country, pop, rock, r&b

Answer 1

Hey, if you enjoy it, then it's served a purpose.

However, as a musician, what I find often lacking in mainstream music is one of the most valuable characteristics of good music - originality.

Some (not all) mainstream music never really rises to the level of 'art' - it is painfully obvious that it is intended to do nothing more than sell records and make money. It doesn't try to accomplish anything new, unique or adventerous. It doesn't try to make an artistic statement or convey something about the performer or composer that hasn't been said before. To use another term, it is simply 'pedestrian' in the worst possible sense of the word.

The big industry machine keeps kicking out Britneys and wannabes. Even those with talent (i.e., Christina Aguilera) find it far more profitable to stick with the formula - even though the projects they sometimes find themselves in (like Herbie Hancock's Possibilities) are far more interesting, stretching for Aguilera as an artist, and ultimately more rewarding artistically - for both the performer and the audience.

Alas, artistic adventure doesn't sell nearly as much as run-of-the-mill, mainstream, just-like-the-last-song-I-heard pop. Such is the way of 'music for the lowest common denominator'.

Ultimately, what this does for music as an art form is to stagnate real creativity.

Good question. Best to you.

Answer 2

There is so much music that gets overlooked when you stick with what's trendy. That's the real problem with it. You won't learn a lot from mainstream music, although some of it is good. How do you tell the difference if you've never explored other venues?
For instance ( and this is probably not considered mainstream music) there is an old standard called "Love Letters Straight From my Heart."There are probably 26 versions of it recorded, but until you hear Ketty Lester sing it ---you haven't really appreciated how great it can be.

Answer 3

Often times individuals that wish to feel artsy and avant garde turn to mainstream music bashing, not realizing that such trivial things such as popularity, or lack therof, need not be considered when selecting music for pleasure, or any other form of stimulation. For instance, I adore Metalllica and they are just about as mainstream as they come. But the fact that they sell tons of records doesn't make me any less of a Metallica enthusiast.

Answer 4

Word for word, Timothy W said everything I was thinking.

Answer 5

the music of today don't know how to sing I would say. they all sound like contestants from American Idol. No rhythm and great lyrics to speak of I'd say.

Answer 6

nothing wrong with it at all.